10K chickens dead after ventilation shut off in suspected break-in: N.S. RCMP

Thousands of chickens perished in a Nova Scotia poultry barn after an apparent break-in, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Officers responded to a facility on Naugler Road in Pine Grove on the morning of July 25, where they discovered the devastating loss.

“

The equipment that was used is able to tell us that it appears that the ventilation system was turned off at approximately 9.45 p.m. on July 24th.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mandy Edwards stated that about 10,000 chickens died after the barn was entered and the building's ventilation fans were "physically" turned off at the switch. The equipment indicated the system was shut down around 9:45 p.m. on July 24.

Investigators are seeking public assistance, requesting any video surveillance footage from the area, dashcam recordings, or any information that could help identify the perpetrators. Edwards noted that nothing appears to have been stolen from the building.

“

We are looking for any information. That could be video surveillance of properties in the area, dashcam footage, any information that can assist this investigation to help us determine who’s responsible.

However, the financial impact on the farmer is substantial. "It's a huge financial issue with having 10,000-plus chickens that have died. So the removal of that, the business aspect of it. It's meat-producing farms, so that's a big revenue and loss to this business," Edwards explained. A similar incident in November 2023 at a Nova Scotia poultry wholesaler resulted in thousands of chicken deaths and an estimated loss of $160,000, though no arrests have been made in that case.

“

It’s a huge financial issue with having 10,000-plus chickens that have died. So the removal of that, the business aspect of it. It's meat-producing farms, so that's a big revenue and loss to this business.